My chicks are still in the brooder but I am already worried about the foxes. I have a neighbor who lost an entire flock a couple of years ago and I have seen foxes crossing through our yard the past few days and sniffing around where I dump the bedding. We are fenced but I need to close up holes.
We also have raccoons, but I haven't heard of any kills in my area from them. Maybe it's just easier to protect against them or they're just too busy tearing apart everyone's garbage cans to bother with chickens. I tried to scare one off the other night and he gave me "the paw".
Our plan is that the chickens will have a large run that is secured with hardware cloth. The coop itself will sit within the run and I'm thinking of covering the ground that the coop sits on with chickenwire.
Originally our plan was to make an apron with the hardware cloth, but now I'm worried that it won't be enough after reading the terrifying posts on this forum!!
Questions:
1. Is burying the hardware cloth better?
2. How effective are sensor lights (keeping in mind I've seen a fox two mornings this week).
3. Are there different techniques for protecting against foxes vs. raccoons?
4. We were going to cover part of the run with corrugated roofing. Do I need to cover the rest of it with something? The run walls will be between 5-6 ft. high. We do have cooper's hawks around. Are they are a concern as well?
My kids are begging me to let the chickens live in our house for the remainder of their lives!! Don't worry I'm not really considering this option.
Please lend me any advice you think relevant. I know foxes are just a fact of "chicken life" but I'd like to hear about what you have done that's been effective. Thanks!!
We also have raccoons, but I haven't heard of any kills in my area from them. Maybe it's just easier to protect against them or they're just too busy tearing apart everyone's garbage cans to bother with chickens. I tried to scare one off the other night and he gave me "the paw".
Our plan is that the chickens will have a large run that is secured with hardware cloth. The coop itself will sit within the run and I'm thinking of covering the ground that the coop sits on with chickenwire.
Originally our plan was to make an apron with the hardware cloth, but now I'm worried that it won't be enough after reading the terrifying posts on this forum!!
Questions:
1. Is burying the hardware cloth better?
2. How effective are sensor lights (keeping in mind I've seen a fox two mornings this week).
3. Are there different techniques for protecting against foxes vs. raccoons?
4. We were going to cover part of the run with corrugated roofing. Do I need to cover the rest of it with something? The run walls will be between 5-6 ft. high. We do have cooper's hawks around. Are they are a concern as well?
My kids are begging me to let the chickens live in our house for the remainder of their lives!! Don't worry I'm not really considering this option.
Please lend me any advice you think relevant. I know foxes are just a fact of "chicken life" but I'd like to hear about what you have done that's been effective. Thanks!!
